Detention of three self-radicalised Singaporeans and updates on other cases under the Internal Security Act

Three self-radicalised Singaporeans, 21-year-old Muhammad Indra Aqmal bin Effendy (Indra), 41-year-old Mohamad Latiff bin Rahim (Latiff), and 44-year-old Nurisham bin Yusoff (Nurisham), were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November 2024. 

2.             All three had been separately self-radicalised online, and had made preparations to engage in armed violence overseas.  While their cases are not related, their radicalisation was either triggered or accelerated by the ongoing Israel-HAMAS conflict.  Indra and Nurisham planned to fight for HAMAS and its military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (AQB), in Gaza, while Latiff planned to fight alongside Iran’s military and Iran-backed militant groups like the Hizbollah in the Middle East, against Israel. 

Muhammad Indra Aqmal bin Effendy

3.             Indra was working as a lift mechanic at the time of his arrest in October 2024.  His radicalisation started following HAMAS’s 7 October 2023 attacks against Israel.  He began consuming online content on the situation in Gaza, which showed Palestinian civilians killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).  He also came across extremist materials on armed jihad and martyrdom.  Emotionally affected by the suffering of the Palestinians, he formed a hatred towards the IDF, and within weeks, developed a strong desire to fight for HAMAS against the IDF in Gaza.  He believed this was a legitimate form of armed jihad and aspired to die as a martyr while fighting. 

4.             In preparation for his travel to Gaza, Indra researched online on possible travel routes.  He also identified an online foreign contact based in the Palestinian territories whom he thought could help him make his way around Gaza.  In addition, Indra made preparations to be combat-ready.  Having a background in martial arts, he honed his unarmed combat skills by carrying out pad work conditioning exercises at home.  He also practised reloading and pulling the trigger with his toy guns daily to improve his muscle memory in weapons handling.  In addition, he searched online for shooting ranges in Batam, Indonesia where he could train with live firearms. 

Mohamad Latiff bin Rahim

5.             Latiff was a director in a digital marketing company at the time of his arrest.  He was based in Bangkok, Thailand, and was arrested in October 2024 upon his return to Singapore.  Latiff started down the path of radicalisation in 2010, after he began consuming online content on Islamic eschatological prophecies relating to the End-of-Times¹ in a bid to deepen his religious knowledge.  Over the years, he became convinced that the End-of-Times would occur in his lifetime, and that it was his religious duty to fight alongside the mujahideen (fighters) against the “enemies” of Islam during the End-of-Times. 

6.             HAMAS’s 7 October 2023 attacks, and the conflict’s expansion to involve Iran, convinced Latiff that the End-of-Times was imminent, and accelerated his desire to engage in armed violence.  He perceived the IDF and the Israeli government as “enemies”, for inflicting suffering on the Palestinians.  Latiff, a Shi’ite Muslim, regarded Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Khamenei) as the prophesised leader who would lead the mujahideen to fight against the “enemies” during the End-of-Times¹.  He believed that Khamenei would issue a call for Muslims to engage in armed jihad.  He was ready to respond to such a call by travelling to the Middle East to join Iran’s military forces or Iran-backed militant groups like the Hizbollah. 

7.             Even before this latest Israel-HAMAS conflict, Latiff had commenced preparations for his plans to engage in armed violence.  For example, in September 2022, Latiff visited a shooting range in Bangkok to familiarise himself with firearms.  In early 2024, Latiff ramped up his physical training to be combat ready, by practising stabbing and slashing motions with kitchen knives at least four to five times a month in Bangkok.  He simulated attacks on vital body points which he believed would cause instant death – such as the chest and jugular veins.

8.             Latiff did not have specific attack plans against Singapore.  However, he admitted that he was willing to carry out any instructions from Khamenei, including conducting attacks in Singapore.

Nurisham bin Yusoff

9.             Nurisham was working as a security guard at the time of his arrest in October 2024.  In 2020, Nurisham became interested in Islamic eschatological prophecies on the End-of-Times.  He went on social media for religious knowledge, and was exposed to the teachings of foreign radical and segregationist preachers, such as Azhar Idrus² and Wadi Annuar³.  He also imbibed materials on the concept of “mati syahid” (martyrdom).  He came to believe that martyrdom was the easiest way for him to atone for his sins in time to enter Heaven during the impending End-of-Times.  Following HAMAS’s 7 October 2023 attacks, he consumed online extremist materials pertaining to the Israel-HAMAS conflict.  Nurisham became convinced that it was his religious obligation to travel to Gaza to take up arms with the AQB to defend Palestinian Muslims.  He also saw the events in Gaza as a sign that the End-of-Times was imminent.  He believed that fighting with the AQB was a legitimate form of armed jihad that would enable him to achieve martyrdom during the End-of-Times.

10.           Nurisham took steps to prepare himself for his plans to engage in armed violence.  For example, he researched online for ways to enter Gaza, and posted extensively on social media about the Israel-HAMAS conflict and AQB, in the hopes that someone in the online community would facilitate his travel to Gaza.  In addition, Nurisham believed that the military training he had undergone, including weapons handling, when he served with the Singapore Armed Forces, would be useful when he joined the AQB.  He also made plans to re-familiarise himself with firearms handling at a shooting range in Batam. 

11.           All three individuals acted alone and there was no indication that they had radicalised or recruited others in Singapore.  Their family members in Singapore were unaware of their plans to partake in armed violence.  

Overseas Conflicts Continue to Impact on Singapore’s Security

12.           These three cases highlight how overseas conflicts can have an impact on Singapore’s security.  Since the onset of the Israel-HAMAS conflict in October 2023, ISD has dealt with at least five Singaporeans under the ISA, whose radicalisation was either triggered or accelerated by the conflict⁴.  Even though it has been more than a year since the start of the conflict, extremist narratives on it, as well as on the growing strife in the Middle East, have not abated.   

13.           ISD reminds the public to stay vigilant against radical elements and extremist narratives, which encourage or legitimise acts of terrorism and violent extremism.  We will take firm action against any individual in Singapore who supports, promotes, undertakes or makes preparations to undertake armed violence, regardless of how they rationalise such violence, or where the violence takes place.  Family members and friends are best placed to notice changes in behaviour and alert the authorities if they suspect their loved ones have been radicalised.  Possible signs of radicalisation include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Frequently surfing radical websites;

• Posting/sharing extremist views on social media platforms, such as expressing support/admiration for terrorists/terrorist groups as well as the use of violence;

• Sharing extremist views with friends and relatives;

• Making remarks that promote ill-will or hatred towards people of other races, religions or communities;

• Expressing intent to participate in acts of violence overseas or in Singapore; and/or

• Inciting others to participate in acts of violence.

 14.           Anyone who knows or suspects that a person has been radicalised should promptly contact the ISD hotline 1800-2626-473 (1800-2626-ISD).  

Updates on Cases under the Internal Security Act

Release from Detention

15.           Singaporean Mohamed Khairul Riduan bin Mohamed Sarip (Khairul), aged 40, was released from detention on a Restriction Order (RO)⁵ under the ISA in November 2024.  Khairul was self-radicalised and detained in November 2022, as he had planned to travel to Gaza to join HAMAS and AQB and fight against the IDF.  He has shown good progress in his rehabilitation and was assessed to no longer pose a security threat requiring preventive detention.    

Lapse of Restriction Orders

16.           The ROs issued against three Singaporeans were allowed to lapse upon their expiry as they had made good progress in their rehabilitation.  They are: 

• Abdul Basheer s/o Abdul Kader (aged 46), a self-radicalised individual who was first detained in February 2007 and released in February 2010.  He was re-detained in October 2012 after re-visiting his plans to engage in armed violence overseas.  He was released from detention in February 2016, and his RO was allowed to lapse in October 2024; 

• Mohamed Hussain bin Saynudin (aged 51), a former member of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) who was detained in February 2007.  He was released on a RO in February 2013, and his RO was allowed to lapse in November 2024; and 

• Murad bin Mohamed Said (aged 52), a former freelance religious teacher who propagated beliefs promoting violence and segregationist views detrimental to the cohesion of Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious society.  He was issued with a RO in December 2018.  His RO was allowed to lapse in December 2024.

INTERNAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT
9 JANUARY 2025

[1] End-of-Times prophecies discuss apocalyptic signs, the destruction of the universe, and Judgment Day (where humans will be held accountable for their deeds by God). Most involve a prophesised Muslim army carrying black flags led by the Imam Mahdi, the saviour of Muslims, which will emerge in the region of Khorasan (commonly associated with modern-day Iran, Afghanistan or Central Asia) to engage in a final battle against the Dajjal (the Antichrist). Terrorist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have misappropriated the imagery of the black flags to garner support for their struggle for power.

[2] Azhar Idrus, a Malaysian preacher, has incited violence against non-Muslims. For example, he has stated that whoever who has insulted Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, Quran and Islam is a “kafir” (infidel) who should be killed.

[3] Wadi Annuar, a Malaysian preacher, has made divisive comments on other religions and communities. For example, he had referred to Thaipusam procession as “devil worshipping”, and encouraged Muslims to disassociate themselves from Jews and Christians.

[4] The two prior cases are a 14-year-old youth and 33-year-old An’nadya binte An’nahari who were issued with Restriction Orders under the ISA in June and July 2024 respectively. Please refer to ISD’s press release on their cases on 15 July 2024.

[5] A person issued with a RO must abide by several conditions and restrictions. For example, the individual is not permitted to change his or her residence or employment, or travel out of Singapore, without the approval of the Director ISD. The individual also cannot access the Internet or social media, issue public statements, address public meetings or print, distribute, contribute to any publication, hold office in, or be a member of any organisation, association or group, without the approval of Director ISD.